Taurus (Russia, 2001)

A screening of a feature film ‘Taurus’.

Lenin… A man who changed the course of history and shook the world now lies dying in a countryside manor, surrounded by outsiders. All around him is hustle, bustle and concerns that cannot change anything. He himself knows that. It’s all over. His body is weak, his conscience is failing.
Despite everything, his will does not desert him – the will to fight, the will for power. Everything in this house is state property. Appointed guards and is wretched wife watch over him. The footsteps of the successor awaiting his hour are heard behind the scene.
What went through his mind in those months? Did he look back over his life? Did he want to change anything? Did he regret that it was impossible to change anything?

The scenes with Stalin were cut for the Russian cinema release and re-added for home video. It is a big step from Sokurovs renowned film ‘Mother’ which we screened earlier, both in equipment and actors and the high art of his visual ambition. It is part of a series, the other films being on Hitler and Hirohito.